VR Prescriptions- what's the hype and is it really worth it?

Variable Rate prescriptions are a new buzzword in Alberta Agriculture. There are many companies, such as Farmer's Edge, Point Forward, Precision Ag. etc., talking to farmers about fertilizer prescriptions. But most farmers are hesitant, wondering what is this prescription for? Why would I need it when I've been getting good yields for years? Will spending more money, especially this year when inputs are already ridiculously high, get me more return in the fall? These are questions we asked ourselves over the winter. In March Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau launched a new round of consultations with the canola, barley, and wheat commissions, focusing on how we can achieve Canada’s national target to reduce absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with fertilizers by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030. It was then that we at Century 12 Farms decided that if we have to cut fertilizer emissions, then we need to do it precisely, and we hired Point Forward Solutions to write us a VR fertilizer prescription for seven quarters of canola.

Here is what has happened for us so far. First an NDVI satellite imagery map was done of all seven quarters. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index measures the difference between near-infrared (which vegetation strongly reflects) and red light, which vegetation absorbs. This showed the green material in our fields.

Next an EC Monitor was drug across the quarters to show the soil texture. This map showed the soil texture, whether there is sand, clay, loam, or saline, in the soil. For example, sandy soil has less electro conductivity than clay soil, which means less yield in a dry year.

Then a 3D topography and landscape map was created by RTK technology. Real-time Kinematic enhances the precision of data from satellites. This map showed the hill tops, the red light zones, and the water holding layers. The water holding index is important because it shows the breakdown of the organic matter where plants will struggle in a wet year. Here is a 3D map from one of the quarters we had mapped by Point Forward.

After the quarters were all mapped and zoned into 6 different zones, 8 soil samples were taken in each zone, so a total of 48 soil samples. From these soil samples and maps, a fertilizer prescription was written for each quarter and each zone. The prescription of sulphur, nitrogen, and phosphorus told us where to cut back, for example the red zones on the hill tops. This saved us money on fertilizer.

When we seeded and fertilized this spring, a test strip was left where we will be able to compare the variable rate fertilizer prescription with what we would normally have done.

What did all this cost us and will it pay off in the fall? The first year of VR is the most expensive as there is the mapping cost. I only know the cost from Point Forward Solutions which was $4.50 an acre, a one-time cost. The soil sampling was $720 per quarter but next year, and each year following it will be $540.00 per quarter. So, will it pay off in yield this fall? We think so but we will be comparing with the test strips.

We spent less on fertilizer cost and used less nitrogen. Right now the Canadian government does not know how to benchmark nitrogen emissions; they are simply using nitrogen sales. Sale reduction does not equate to emission reduction. What the government needs to do is benchmark using the 4Rs. Most farmers are already incorporating 3 of the 4 Rs and need to be given credit for that, not told to buy 30% less nitrogen, which is crucial to producing the high yields of grain the world needs. The 4Rs are:

1) Right Source of Nitrogen. We use Evironmentally Smart Nitrogen (ESN) by Agrium which has a coating that keeps the urea from breaking down immediately when it hits the soil; instead it dissolves slowly in response to soil temperatures.

2) Right Place. It must be inserted into the ground with the seed where the seed can use it, not placed on top where it escapes into the atmosphere.

3) Right time. Again, with the seed in spring, not in the fall. Before we switched to zero-till our nitrogen was applied in the fall and by spring most of it had been broken down. And finally

4) Right Rate. This is where VR prescriptions are so important. Nitrous Oxide emissions do not happen when applied correctly.

And because the government wants to help farmers incorporate all 4Rs, they are planning a program which will be released this summer to refund farmers their VR costs up to $12,000.00 per year for 2 years totalling $24,000.00 on VR soil samples and prescriptions for canola. There is a limited amount of money so it is first applied, first refunded.

We will be applying for the rebate. To summarize, we have had our fields mapped, soil samples taken, a prescription written which cut our fertilizer cost, and we hope to get better yields in our green and blue zones while not losing yield in our red zones. The total cost for the first year was $2320.00 per quarter which we will be refunded by the government. So in Century 12's opinion, VR prescriptions are definitely worth it!!